MEENAKSHI MAHAJAN
Summary
With over 20 years of experience in Communication and Public Diplomacy, I am passionate about bridging gaps and fostering meaningful connections. My professional journey has empowered me deep understanding of strategic communication, public relations and cultural diplomacy. Skilled in cross-cultural communication, digital diplomacy strategy, and stakeholder engagement, ensuring effective public diplomacy campaigns. Excel in negotiation, active listening, and adaptability, leveraging these soft skills to navigate complex international landscapes and foster positive relationships.
Demonstrated ability to lead teams in executing campaigns that significantly improve public perception and drive organizational goals.
Overview
27
27
years of professional experience
Work History
Sr. Communication & Public Diplomacy Officer
Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands
08.2019 - Current
- Communication and Public Diplomacy Advisor: Developing Strategic Communication plan for overall management of outreach and communication. Make use of public diplomacy tools to coach and guide my fellow colleagues in agriculture, water, innovation economic, health and defense for different projects, expand outreach to new and targeted audiences and improve collaboration with external stakeholders.
- Monitoring and evaluation of Public Diplomacy and Cultural budget which includes: Assessing and finalization of project proposal in adherence to regulations and policies. Signing of agreements, reviewing of mid term report shared by the organizers ensuring that resources are optimally utilized and in accordance to the approved plans. After project is completed a through evaluation is conducted where budget depletion is monitored, outcomes are visible and final reports are submitted and archived in the required systems for transparency.
- Media Management: Press visits, interviews, briefings, and media monitoring are all included in media management. Press releases and press note updates to the media are the instruments employed.
- Online Communication: In charge of the overall social media strategy Netherlands India network, including the CG’s in Bengaluru and Mumbai, as well as the Embassy in New Delhi. As the website's editor, it is my duty to update the content on a regular basis with close assistance from the home department of communication (the Netherlands).
- Indo-Dutch Cultural initiatives: Collaborating closely with Indian and Dutch cultural specialists to identify areas of cooperation as well as to budget the initiatives that connect the government to the people and the people to the government.
Public Diplomacy and Communication Officer
Embassy of Finland
09.2008 - 07.2019
- Responsible for organizing Press visits, interviews, conference and briefing for the Embassy at large. Coordinating 6-7 media tours to Finland on annual basis.
- Cooperating with various NGO’s, Think tankers and diverse actors to promote Finland policies on gender equality, skill development, innovation, design and architecture and more.
- Monitoring of Development Project (until 2010) and cultural projects supported by the Embassy which include f/assessing and finalization of projects, monitoring mid-term and final reports, evaluation of financial resources and outcomes and provided all necessary coordination and assistance required during the project period.
- Social media management- Keeping followers update with information on various sectors, events and visits etc on social media channels: Twitter, Facebook and webpage.
- Actively handle various high-level delegations (incoming and outgoing), closely working with commercial department during the seminars and exhibitions.
- Working closely with Business Finland and Commercial Department promoting Finland expertise in various sectors at various Seminars’ and Conference organized on PAN India basis.
Manager- Corporate Communication & Public Relations
VLCC Health Care Ltd
10.2007 - 08.2008
- Maintaining and coordinating with PR Agency for various event of the organization.
- Handling Press Conference and briefings on PAN India basis.
- Tracking the media coverage and formulating an analysis monthly.
- Communicating and coordinating internally regarding various activities of the organization.
- Involvement on regular basis with Marketing Department with respect to image building exercise.
- Responsible for Press Release, articles or write up requirement of the organization.
Market Analyst- Editorial Business Intelligence Database
Reuters India Ltd
07.2004 - 07.2006
- Prioritizing news based on relative importance, analyzing and researching articles, any major events expected to happen in the coming days, which is of global importance. Summarized, edited and simplified and placed in diaries.
- Handled an extensive research work to monitor the financial results announcement of the companies and providing the information viewed by investment bankers, brokers and financial analysts to assess the business climate in making day-to-day decisions.
- Handled query resolutions and MIS reporting on a daily, weekly and monthly basis.
Media and Press Officer
Embassy of Israel
05.2001 - 04.2004
- Coordinated for entire press and information activities in the embassy.
- Worked under strict confidence to provide full administrative support to the Head of Press Information and Political Affairs.
- Proactively providing well-informed media relations, including the writing, editing and strategic distribution of news releases, media advisories and press kits to local print and electronic media.
- Coordinated different delegations to Israel every year and the ones coming to India in regard to the meetings and arrangement for the delegates. The delegation includes representatives of Political parties to Israel, Indo-Israel youth forum, Agriculture delegation etc.
- Arranged various press conferences and briefings encompassing taking decision of the venue, date, time and arranging the invitees’ list.
Public Relation Officer
Regional Computer Centre
04.2000 - 04.2001
- Organized student seminars in various colleges of Delhi.
- Screened students and scheduled the batches.
- Handled the advertisement and promotional activities for the computer center.
Public Relations Executive
Pratap Advertising Agency
01.1999 - 02.2000
- Handled various government and private clients of the agency such as Enfield India & various government emporiums, cottage industries.
- Coordinated with the graphic department for explaining the client’s requirement.
Education
Certification - Digital Marketing and Communication
UpGradMICA
Postgraduate diploma - Journalism & Mass Communication
IGNOU
Diploma - Advertising and Public Relation
South Delhi Polytechnic for Women
Diploma - Information and System Management
Aptech Institute
Bachelor of Arts -
Delhi University Gargi College
Skills
- Strategic communication
- Public diplomacy
- Media management
- Social media strategy
- Project evaluation
- Government relations
- Campaign planning
- Crisis management
- Cultural awareness
- Strategic planning
Personal Information
Date of Birth: 07/01/76
Languages
Hindi
First Language
English
Proficient
C2
Timeline
Sr. Communication & Public Diplomacy Officer
Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands
08.2019 - Current
Public Diplomacy and Communication Officer
Embassy of Finland
09.2008 - 07.2019
Manager- Corporate Communication & Public Relations
VLCC Health Care Ltd
10.2007 - 08.2008
Market Analyst- Editorial Business Intelligence Database
Reuters India Ltd
07.2004 - 07.2006
Media and Press Officer
Embassy of Israel
05.2001 - 04.2004
Public Relation Officer
Regional Computer Centre
04.2000 - 04.2001
Public Relations Executive
Pratap Advertising Agency
01.1999 - 02.2000
Certification - Digital Marketing and Communication
UpGradMICA
Postgraduate diploma - Journalism & Mass Communication
IGNOU
Diploma - Advertising and Public Relation
South Delhi Polytechnic for Women
Diploma - Information and System Management
Aptech Institute
Bachelor of Arts -
Delhi University Gargi College